Aerial Yoga -- Learning to Fly

What is aerial yoga?Aerial yoga is a relatively new approach to a traditional yoga practice. It uses a silk fabric hammock, sometimes called a yoga swing, to support the weight of our bodies and eliminate compression in the joints, increase spinal and shoulder flexibility and prevent back strain, helping us achieve various postures with more depth, ease and excitement. By relieving 20-80% of body weight, the hammock allows students to rapidly increase their flexibility while improving balance and core strength.

In doing so, students are able to reach more advanced yoga poses if desired, like inversions, offering drastic improvement in health and vitality in a short amount of time. In addition, the swings are used as "wraps" on our bodies that gently massage and stimulate various acupressure meridians of the body. An overall detox effect can be experienced and felt by practitioners. Supported by the hammock, you'll let go into gravity, deepen your practice, and awaken a "yogic high."

Aerial Yoga Beginner Workshops

Learning to Fly: Aerial Yoga Beginner Workshop90 minutes (Prerequisite for any aerial class) Minimum age limit: 14In this introduction to Aerial Yoga we will begin to familiarize students with using the yoga hammock, gain confidence on how to get into poses safely and build the trust needed to create roots for an aerial yoga practice. No prior Aerial experience necessary-this class is designed for all levels of fitness and flexibility--however, students should be familiar with yoga and comfortable moving through a Vinyasa including a yoga push up. This class is structured just like your usual Flow class with centering, warm-up, posture focus, core and upper body work, inversions and Savasana—all with the assistance of your swing. Please review our Aerial Yoga FAQs on our website before attending. Bring an open mind, open heart and believe in your ability to fly!

Aerial Yoga Classes

All classes listed here require that the student has taken the Learning to Fly: Intro to Aerial Workshop prior to registering for class.

Aerial Yoga: Gentle Flow (60 minutes) -- Improve your flexibility, strength & balance by adding this aerial yoga class to your weekly schedule. This slower moving class, designed to complement a mat-based practice, is accessible to those just starting aerial yoga as well as experienced aerial yogis! It includes suspended stretching, zero-compression inversions (held for short period of time) and FUN! Prerequisite: Learning to Fly Workshop

Aerial Yoga: Deep Stretch (60 minutes) -- This unique class will build flexibility and strength with the assistance of aerial silks. This slow-moving class will mindfully hold postures for 4-7 minutes, awakening your body and clearing your mind. Explore the details of each posture to allow your body to deepen into a stretch. Expect deep hip, back and leg openings with longer holds to gain increased mobility. Prerequisite: Learning to Fly Workshop

Aerial Yoga: Non-inversion Flow (60 minutes) --The aerial silks assist in building balance and strength, improving alignment in a variety of poses and enhancing relaxation – and all can be done without ever going upside down. If inverting is just not for you, but you want to enjoy all the other benefits the aerial silks provide, then this class is just for you! Prerequisite: Learning to Fly workshop.

Aerial Yoga for Tweens/Teens (ages 9-14) -- While our minimum age limit for the regular aerial classes is 14, we have designed special classes for our younger yogis. These classes are available on Saturdays and have all the flying fun of an adult class, but with fun music, more giggling, more swinging and more spinning. Tweens & Teens benefit from strength building, stretching and breathing, while exploring poses in our yoga hammocks. Come and find out what all the buzz is about! 60-minute sessions. Students receive 20% off regular class pricing. Must purchase in-studio. Register your child today and pay when you arrive.

Floating Meditation (No workshop required!)

If you're curious about the silks and just want to try them out, this class is a great opportunity. Relax into a yoga hammock as you float gently above the earth in a series of 2-3 relaxing poses while being guided through a calming meditation. Class is 60 minutes. Aerial beginner workshop NOT required to participate. Mat-based memberships and class packs apply. This class is only offered on a periodic basis. All levels welcome.

Private & Custom Aerial Classes

Have a group and want to try aerial? Make your next group event something fun and unique! We offer affordable private & custom aerial yoga classes and workshops as well as Aerial Yoga Parties. More info available on our Custom Classes page.

Aerial Yoga FAQs

Who can take Aerial Yoga? Anyone! Almost anyone, that is! Students of most ages, men and women, practice Aerial Yoga and reap the benefits of this therapeutic style of yoga. That said, there are a few ailments that would prevent someone from attending. People who are or have very high or low blood pressure, easy onset vertigo, pregnancy, glaucoma, disc herniation, recent surgery, heart disease, osteoporosis, bone weakness, recent head injury, cerebral sclerosis, propensity for fainting, artificial hips, carpal tunnel syndrome, severe arthritis, sinusitis or head cold…cannot participate in aerial yoga. As with all exercise programs, we strongly advise anyone suffering from any kind of medical condition or injury consult their doctor before beginning aerial yoga. You will be required to sign a safety waiver before you register online or in person. As far as current fitness level: It is recommended to have a basic understanding of yoga--being able to comfortably complete a Vinyasa, including a chaturanga (yoga push up), would be an appropriate starting point before beginning Aerial Yoga.Is Aerial Yoga Safe? All exercise entails some level of risk, and aerial yoga is no different. That said, we take the safety of our clients and instructors very seriously. Our yoga hammocks, steel carabiners & structure are rigged to hold several 1,000 pounds worth of dynamic movement/weight, and have been designed and installed by certified engineers. The most common cause of discomfort when beginning an aerial practice is due to the wraps themselves, and you may experience some minor irritation, discomfort, and even bruising as you condition your body to the sensation and pressure of the wraps. Some people may also experience dizziness as a result of inverting, and we take great care in our classes to ensure adequate time is allowed for clients to breathe and reconnect with the earth after inversions. It is essential that you inform your instructor of any existing medical issues, injuries, or other concerns before beginning class and review the “Can I take aerial yoga?” section above to ensure you do not have a condition that may prevent your practice.

Who would you recommend should be cautious with an aerial yoga class? People who are or have very high or low blood pressure, easy onset vertigo, pregnancy, glaucoma, disc herniation, recent surgery, heart disease, osteoporosis, bone weakness, recent head injury, cerebral sclerosis, propensity for fainting, artificial hips, carpal tunnel syndrome, severe arthritis, sinusitis or head cold, recent stroke, botox injections (within 6 hours)

Is there an age limit for Aerial Yoga? Yes. Students must be at least 14 years old to practice Aerial yoga at Yoga 4 You. Anyone under 18 must also have their parent’s written consent to attend any class or workshop at Yoga 4 You.

Is there a weight limit? Yes, 250 pounds.

How hard is an aerial yoga class? It depends on which class you take. No matter what, YOU monitor your own resistance so each class is as hard as or as easy as you choose to work.

Will I be successful in my first class? Yes! Everyone leaves the class a success! Since this is a YOGA class there is no competition nor ego encouraged. Everyone works at their own pace.

What should I wear? You should wear form fitting clothing, in breathable cotton fabrics that cover the underarms and legs, as some of the wraps may cause discomfort at first. Leggings, fitted yoga pants, t-shirts and other yoga basics all work great. Please avoid clothing with a shiny or slippery surface and anything non-breathable, as these can become very uncomfortable as the detoxifying poses often stimulate a lot of sweating. Women may want to want to wear a properly fitted sports bra, as wardrobe issues during inversions and other upside down poses and transitions are not uncommon. While many men prefer to wear shorts, new male student may want to wear pants until they become more comfortable in the wraps. For safety concerns as well as to protect the hammock fabric, what NOT to wear is more of a concern. You must remove all of the following items before class as they will damage the swings: Shoes, Jewelry of ANY kind, including earrings, Yoga socks or other yoga footwear, Clothing with gems, sequins, glitter, or other sharp or abrasive surfaces**PROPER HYGIENE IS ALSO REQUIRED** You must bathe and use appropriate antiperspirants before arriving to use our yoga hammocks. Perfumes and oils are NOT permitted either as they damage and stain the fabric. We wash our fabrics regularly but we need your cooperation in preserving the quality and cleanliness of the hammocks.

What should I bring to an aerial yoga class? Water, sweat towel and a mat (if you want your own – we also have mats available for use in the studio!)

Do I need to be a yoga practitioner? No--although some familiarity with yoga poses may be helpful.

Which aerial yoga class is best for me? All new clients must first take the Learning to Fly: Intro to Aerial Yoga workshop prior to taking any regular aerial yoga class. This foundation workshop begins to familiarize students with using the fabric, gain confidence on how to get into poses safely and gain the trust needed to build the bedrock for your aerial yoga practice. Depending on your current fitness level, previous aerial experience, and general comfort with the basic aerial wraps and poses, you can then move up to Beginner Aerial Silks Yoga Class and beyond as your abilities and interests allow. During your workshop, we will be happy to answer any questions and make recommendations of what classes will best meet your current practice and goals.

I'm a yogi (or dancer, gymnast, crossfitter, Pilates instructor, etc.), do I really need the Intro Workshop? Yes. Aerial yoga is different from traditional yoga, dance, Pilates, and other movement methodologies. While having the fitness and body awareness these practices provide, it is essential you learn the basic wraps and safety taught in Foundations. Aerial yoga and other aerial arts also require practitioners build strength in areas of the body other fitness, yoga, and dance programs may not provide. This is most true when it comes to forearm strength, which is essential for our upper level classes.

If I've taken an Aerial Yoga beginner workshop somewhere else or have practiced elsewhere, do I need the workshop? If you have practiced aerial yoga somewhere else, you are able to attend our aerial classes without taking an additional workshops only if: 1) You can provide documents showing you have attended a beginner workshop elsewhere, OR 2) Proof you have attended at least 5 aerial classes elsewhereBecause these classes fill up, we strongly recommend you call us prior to the class you'd like to attend so we can reserve your spot. After you bring in your documents, you will be able to sign up for future aerial classes online.

Should I come on an empty stomach? We recommend having something in the stomach to stave off dizziness, however, we do not recommend a big meal.

Will I get dizzy doing aerial yoga? If one has a strong propensity for dizziness or a “hips over head” spatial awareness style dyslexia this is not the technique for them.

How will I feel after an aerial yoga class? You will feel taller and lighter. Your muscles will have a pump and you will be refreshed!

At Yoga 4 You we offer instruction and tools for individuals of all ages to develop strong, healthy bodies; calm, content minds; and quiet, receptive spirits to assist them in becoming fully engaged in their lives and in the world around them.